Chapter 3: A Possible Flight from Hogwarts

Remus had had the journal for months and wasn't able to open it until the end of summer. Hermione had turned up at the meeting place for the Order a few days prior, with the anticipation of a new school year to begin and he couldn't bare it any longer; he had to see, think, and feel what Bethany was writing…he had to be with her again, in all the ways he remembered her.

He could feel her in the words she wrote, he could almost hear her voice. He missed her and he had forgotten just how much.

"Remus."

Lupin turned to the door, Molly Weasley was there. "Please, come in." he said.

Molly stepped into his room, "I just came to tell you lunch was ready. The children have gone off to Diagon Alley with Arthur to collect their school books." Molly looked at Remus, he looked worse than she had seen him recently. Apprehensively she sat along side him, she tried not to talk to Remus…she wanted to, but she knew better than to do such; for she might say something she shouldn't…not yet. "What's wrong Remus?"

"I miss her Molly." Lupin said softly.

Molly nodded, "I know."

"I've never really said it before," he shrugged, but Molly could see that it was racking him.

"We could really use her now." Molly nodded. "We need people like Beth in these dark times."

"I've always needed her," Lupin said mildly.

"Remus, come to lunch."

"I'll be there," he said, "in a moment."

Molly nodded and got to her feet. Being around Remus was like tiptoeing through a sleeping pack of wolves ever since Sirius's death, he just hadn't been quite the same and no one wanted to cross him for fear that he might explode. Lupin on the other hand hadn't noticed that he was being avoided, he had far too many things to do and worry about. The Order was his primary concern.

Molly closed Remus's door and nearly toppled over Snape. She gave a little shriek, "Severus, don't sneak up on me like that."

"You didn't tell him did you?"

"No," Molly shook her head, "of course not."

"Good," Snape said. He raised a glass to Molly, "Excuse me, Lupin will require this."

Molly nodded.

Remus was listening, he wondered if they thought he couldn't hear them, and for the first time since Sirius's death he realized that, perhaps, no one had really talked to him. Instantly realizing Snape would be knocking on the door any moment to administer the Wolfsbane potion, Remus quickly shuffled the journal into a pile of papers and went to the door. He opened it just as Severus was raising his hand to wrap on the door.

Lupin smiled and reached out for the potion, "Thank you Severus." And before Snape could respond Lupin closed the door. He fished the journal out from the stack of papers.

He fanned the pages to where he'd been and a brittle letter fell into his lap. Carefully he unfolded the parchment.

Bethany,

Prepare your things, your father and I need you.

All my love,

Mum

Remus ran his finger over the word on the page, he never met them and he was thankful for that. Remus remembered that day well…

Saturday October 16, 1976

Bethany was sitting at the end of the Slytherin table.

"Hey Beth, I think you're at the wrong table," a heavy girl told her; the girls around her giggled.

"Yeah, I think those goodies are waiting for you." One of the bunch snickered and pointed across the Grand Hall, even Severus swept by her without a passing glance.

Bethany merely turned away from them.

"You have another chance," Narcissa appeared at Bethany's side.

I must be important, or my presence must be; Narcissa wouldn't be there otherwise. She wasn't one to forgive or forget.

"Don't waste your breath," Bethany said casually as she picked at her food. "I don't think I'm going to be in Hogwarts much longer."

Bellatrix's jaw dropped and Narcissa puffed up her chest, and she cast two judging eyes on Bethany.

"I see," Narcissa smiled bitterly. "Embarrass yourself then you run."

"Don't be ridiculous." Bethany glowered at her.

"Then what?" Bellatrix asked.

"My parents are calling me away from Hogwarts; they're running." Bethany looked back at her food.

"What do you mean?" Narcissa frowned.

"I don't think I stuttered Sissy," Bethany stood and looked Narcissa head on. "My parents are running and they felt guilty about abandoning me."

"What are they running from?" Narcissa asked.

Bethany raised an eyebrow at Narcissa behind bored eyes.

"Can't you stay?" Bellatrix questioned.

"I'd love to," Bethany nodded. "I don't think they even considered me."

"You're leaving?" Severus appeared from what seemed like no where, he hovered over Narcissa.

"Yes," Bethany nodded emotionlessly.

Narcissa gave him a hard shove away from her and turned a sneer on him, "Butt out, she's our friend and wants nothing to do with you."

I didn't think to defend him, in fact I didn't care at that moment. I didn't care what Sissy said, how Bell acted, or what Sev thought…all I cared about was becoming disjointed from my parents and their planned flight from England. I bet they went to the Ministry and told them some of his plans, and the Ministry told them (to save their lives) to run to America or something. I don't want to go.

"I'm leaving," Bethany looked between all of them and pushed to get passed them. She didn't even get to take a step before the Grand Hall's doors opened and Dumbledore appeared with Barty Crouch and several Aurors. Every student stopped and watched the precessions glide down the tables.

Dumbledore paused in front of Bethany.

"May I see you for a moment Miss. Spence?" Dumbledore asked.

Bethany was fighting chills and doing her best to keep from shaking, she nodded. "Of course," she said stagnantly.

They all watched us leave, all of them. It took all I had to keep my knees from buckling, but I managed, with my head high. I saw Narcissa give me a look of encouragement from the end of the table, I don't think I've ever seen such a thing in my whole life but clearly she had.

Dumbledore stopped just in the hallway, he peered over to Crouch, "A moment please."

"I will not leave you alone with her." Crouch barked.

Dumbledore looked at Crouch over his half moon spectacles and frowned.

"Just a moment then," Crouch grumbled.

Once they'd all cleared out Dumbledore turned to Bethany, but before he could speak she did, "The end is coming isn't it?"

Then Dumbledore did something she didn't expect, he smiled. "Bethany you never fail to impress me." Then his expression went solemn again. "I refused to turn you over to them, and I will not allow you to go to the Council of Magical Law. However, I cannot stop them should you hide anything from me."

"I'm hiding nothing." Bethany said.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

Bethany eyed the ground, and after several long seconds of this on going silence match Bethany broke. "Fine."

I don't know why I didn't want to tell him. Dumbledore meant more to me than they ever had.

Bethany reached in her robes and pulled out the letter she received from her parents. She extended it to him.

Dumbledore didn't even open it, "You would not have gone."

Bethany looked up to him, she chose not to question how he knew that she was planning a way to escape their plan of flight.

"I will hold onto this, until they are done questioning you."

"Questioning?" Bethany squeaked.

"Crouch is allowed to question you, but they will not take you from these grounds. My only word of advice is to stay strong, do not yield to their terrors."

"Terrors?" Bethany asked.

Dumbledore opened his mouth to answer but he paused and looked passed Bethany. She peeked over her shoulder, Crouch was waiting. One of the Aurors came forward and took Bethany by the arm and led her roughly back though the Grand Hall and out through the front doors.

Thank you for reading, please review! :::Jo:::